Express Scripts Out As Gic Vendor

CVS Caremark Awarded Pharmacy Contract

February 16, 2010: The state's Group Insurance Commission (GIC) has voted to contract with CVS Caremark as the agency's new pharmacy benefits manager. The three-year contact will take affect on July 1, 2010.

CVS Caremark replaces longtime pharmacy manager Express Scripts, which has held the GIC contract to provide drug benefits under the Indemnity, OME and other UniCare plans for the past eight years. GIC officials believe that CVS Caremark is better suited to provide pharmacy benefits management and enhanced services.

Members, who utilize the GIC's mail order drug program now administered by Express Scripts, should see no interruption in service. Prior to the July 1 transfer date, all records will be transferred from Express Scripts to CVS Caremark.

As the largest retail/mail order pharmaceutical company in the country, CVS Caremark now operates over 7,000 retail locations. The company also operates 560 MinuteClinics in 25 states.

"While many of the details remain to be seen, this move to CVS Caremark may be good for our members," said Association Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel. "Not only is CVS a local company, but with their large network of retail pharmacies they are a well-known brand that many retirees already use.

"But anytime there is a change, difficulties can arise. We will continue to work closely with Express Scripts, the GIC and now CVS Caremark to ensure that our members' concerns are properly addressed."

With nearly four and a half months to go before the change takes affect on July 1, the GIC has the proper time to make sure the transition is an easy process. Once further details are known, the Association will provide them to our members.

Members not insured under the UniCare State Indemnity Plan, OME (Medicare) or other UniCare plans are not impacted. Other GIC sponsored plans such as Tufts, HPHC and Fallon manage their own pharmacy networks.

Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 62,000 members as we continue the fight.